MORTON ace Connor McManus insists team-mate Jai Quitongo is the real deal amidst reports of interest in the striker from English Premier League clubs.

Quitongo has been reportedly attracting the attention of several clubs down south, including Crystal Palace, Swansea City, Brighton and Hull City. 

League Two outfit Doncaster Rovers also had a bid for the youngster booted out last summer.

Ex-Celtic midfielder McManus has only been in the Morton dressing room since July but he can see the quality Quitongo possesses. 

Having played for the Hoops development squad, McManus saw talented kids come through the ranks at Lennoxtown.

But he insists he has never seen any young player who can match Quitongo’s natural strength and pace. And he reckons if the 20-year-old can keep his head down and listen to boss Jim Duffy then he can get everything he wants and more out of the game.

He told the Tele: “We were delighted to get a good win against Queen of the South last weekend and the first goal was a fantastic strike.

"Jai has got that, he’s that kind of player who can produce something out of nothing. He’s got that pace as well and hopefully he can continue to do these things for Morton.

“I think the word potential is massive, particularly in Scotland where not a lot of players are blessed with Jai’s pace and physical attributes. I’ve not seen anyone at all who can match him for that physically.

“But like for any young player, if you work hard, listen to your manager and all the rest of it, I’m sure he can keep improving and whatever his aspirations are I’m sure he’ll get them. 

“He works hard and if he keeps scoring goals like the one against Queen of the South it might help.”

Ton and McManus are in good form heading to Tannadice this afternoon to take on Dundee United and the 21-year-old believes his side should hold no fear going against the Tangerines on their own patch.

He said: “There are obviously no easy games in this league, it’s been said a million times, especially going to Tannadice. But these are the games you play football for. 

“You want to be involved and play at good stadiums so we’ll have absolutely no fear going there.

“We respect who we’re playing as that’s the way the manager works but we’ll work hard. 

“On the back of the last two results we’ve had, we’ve got to fancy ourselves to go there and have the belief that we’ve got the players on our day to come away with a result.

“There’s no use winning the last two games and then letting ourselves down. As a group we’re striving for the consistency. 

“Although it’s early in the season, as soon as you get that you go into all games confident.”